Refrigerating apparatus



30 air or cooling 'Patented oef. 21, 1z1.

Uru'rizn STATES eATENT oFF-Ice.

JESSE G. KING," OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOB, TO'DELCO-LIG-HT COMPANY, 0F DAYTON, i OHIO, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE. v 4

' BEFRIGEBATING APPARATUS.

Application led Uotober 3, 1923, Serial No. 666,257. Renewed November 30, 1927.

This invention relates to re-rigerating apparatus, and particularly to apparatus for household use.

The object'of this invention -is to provide an im roved cooling unit which when installedpin a refrigeratorwill `maintain the food or storage compartment of the refrig erator -at the desired temperature, notv too' cold for general refrigeration, and which l0 will at the same time provide colder or freezing temperatures'for quickly and efficiently freezing or congealing4 substances. My invention contemplates the provision of .what `may be termed, a freezing zone for quickly n cooling or congealing substances placedA therein, and what may be termed a eoollng zone'which is ada ted to provide the general coolingfor the re rigerator; In carrying out 'l this inventionl's'o constructand arrange vthe 2 0 heat exchange lmeans of the cooling' unit, which may be 'formed of ductscr otherwise, that a portion of said means provides the freezing zone while another portion thereof provides `the cooling zone. 'I find also that the acconplishment of the invention may be facilitate and simplified by so disposing the Vmaterial or heat exchange means of the coolingzone that it will more or'less protect the freezing zone from the warming effect of the mediumI which iows over the cooling unit in'normal operation.-

- Another object of this invention is to provide for Atheeconomical and eilicient con-l l.struction of the coolin unit, and also to pro- 35 vide a, cooling unit-w ch is ada tedjto be installed'in the ordinary ice contalnng com-A partment of a refrigerator cabinet, so that jan ice refrigerator can be adapted for iceless refri eration.

Ot er and further lobjectsand advantages of the present invention. will be apparent from the following description, reference f being had to the. accompanying drawings,

. wherein a preferred embodiment' of the pres- 4 5 ent invention is clearly shownl In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is ,a fragmentary elevation of" a refrigerator cabinet showing the door` of the cooling Acompartment open and a cooling unlt -cooling' -unit installed 'of Fig. s.

for iceless refrigeration installed within said compartment;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the icev I Fig. 4' is a fragmentary view partly in sec-l tion, the section being taken on the line Referring to' the drawings, 2O designates a refrigerator cabinet of the conventional type for ice-'refrigeration in homes. The cabinet ating apparatus (not shown) located outside of thel refrigerator. l

, 'I he unit23 includes a tank or header 24 whlch" is connected by inlet pipe 25 `and outletpi e .26 with a refrigerating machine locate outside of the refrigerator cabinet.

.These pipes are brou ht 'out from the cabinet liningv27 throng a. hole 28 and then down between'the back Vwall 29 andthe .re-

ated as a whole by num- 20 inclu'des a compartmentf21 adapted to frigerator lining 27. The pipe 26 includes coils 26" which provide for refrigerating in addition tothe coolingr unit.

The tanki24 is 'connected'withandfsupported by` 'a plurality of cooling, coils or turns 30`.which are identical in contour and are connected-with the tank in staggered relation by'alternately reversing the coils.

That is, considering that each coil includesl vertically disposed branch portions or legs land 32 joined by a horizontalyoke portion 33, the branchportion 32 of one coil 'extends to the right of the tank 24, and the branch 32 of the next adjacent coil extends to the left. By virtue of this arrangement ofthe coils, two groups of coils are provided, each group of coils having coil branches in spaced alinement, and the coils of one group alternate with the coils of the other group.

Each group of coils includes at least one set of alined straight branches, which are connected together in one plane, and both groups of branches are tied together by means which supports the ice tray drawers or sleeves. Thus a frame work is provided by means of the groups 'of coils and ice tray supports for supporting the expansion tank.

EachI ice tray 34 is provided with a handle 35 and is slidable upon the rails 36 provided upon the bottom wall of a chamber which forms an ice tray shelf or sleeve 37.

The groups of coil branches 31 are clamped together in two substantially vertical planes by means of tie members which include sleeve 37 and angle bars 38 and 39 attached to"v the sleeve 37 preferably by welding, and by lmeans of clamping bars 40 and 41. Screws 42 pass through bar 40 and are threaded into angle iron 38. Tightening screws 42 clamps one group of coilbranches 31 to angle bar 38. In like manner, screws 43 and bar 4l clamp the other set of lbranches 31 to the angle bar 39. Since the cooling coils-30 are somewhat fiexible, their set of branches 31 can be readily brought into vertical alinement, and the set of branches 32 can take whatever position they will as the result of the clamping of the branches 31. It is apparent that the two series of branches provide vertical walls enclosing a central openinglocated below the expansion tank 24.

The groups of coil branches 31 provide in A effect Wallsv of a freezing compartment or zonelocated between cooling coils and below the expansion tank 24,v thej bottom of this freezing compartment being provided by the yoke portions 33 of the cooling coils 30. 'This construction and arrangement can be obtained without materially distorting any of the coils because of the alternately reversed arrangement of the coils permitting I Athe coil branches 32 to take up their positions free of restraint.

By virtue of this constructfon it, will be apparent that the cooling unit provides a relatively cold or freezing zone adapted for freezing or congealing a substance and a cooling zone which lies outwardly of or overlaps the freezing zone, in the path of the circulating-air. The two rows of vertically disposed portions or legs 32 .bound or provide between them the cooling, zone and it will beseen'that the materialof rthe coolin zone is in intimate -thermal association wlth the air which flows downwardly over, the ductportions-32 and that such air is cooled thereby toV thedesired temperature suitable for general cooling withinthe refri erator.` The portions 31 being nested wit in the cooling zone enclosure formed by the portions 32 are protected thereby from the effect of the relatively warm air circulatv 'refrigerating apparatus.

A support for the coolingunit is rovided by two U-shaped members 45, the ranches of which provide legs resting upon the hotn tom wall 46 of the ice compartment 21. The

coil yokes 33 rest directly upon the U-shaped members 45. The U-shaped members 45 are attached, for example, yby riveting to cross lmembers 47, thereby providing a rectangular tribute to the effectiveness of the arrangement.

by a nut 51. Tightening the nuts 51 on the bolt 50 causes the bars 48 and 49 to he moved together, thereby clamping the yoke portions 33 firmly upon the horizontal portions of the U-shaped members 45.

In order to secure the cooling unit 23 in position within the cooling compartment 21, each leg of the U-shaped members 45 is provided with a tapped holefor receiving a 'bolt 52 which may be turned so that its head vb ull'Ov attached to la sleeve 37, for example, by Welding. After installing the unit 23,v

bulb 60 is attached by coupling 61 to a pipe 62 connected witha pressure responsive device for controlling the operation of the This bulb and method of control. is disclosed more fully in the copending application of Jesse G. King, Serial No. 670359 filed October 23, 1923. Brieiy, the bulb (S0-contains a fluid such as sulphur dioxide which lexpands as the temperature lof the cooling unit rises, and causes the pressure-responsive device to start the refrigerating apparatus. When the temperature of the cooling unit decreases the fluid in bulb 60 contracts and thepressure diminishes resulting in stopping the refrigerating apparatus.

While the form of mechanism 'herein shown andA described constitutes a preferred embodiment of one form of the invention, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted and various changes and alterations made in the shape,si\ze and Proportion compartment as shown in Figj2. In-

rou

of the elements therein'without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claimis:

1. A cooling unit for mechanical refrigeration comprlsin an elongated header, a plurality of duct os depending from said header, and arrange in staggered relation ,and forming two sets of loops, each set having its loops substantially in longitudinal alignment and offset laterally from the loops of the other set.

2. A cooling unit'for mechanical refrigeration comprising: an elongatedheader, a plurality of duct. loops depending from said header, said loops having substantially idenvtical non-symmetrical siapes and alternate plurality o header, a freezing compartment located berounded by said loops, each of said loopsl .to the other set.

loops being reversely turned to form two sets of loops, one set being staggered relative 3. A cooling unit for mechanical refrigeration com rising: an elongated header, a duct loops depending .from said header, and arranged in laterally staggered relation to form two sets of loops, and

a freezing compartmentsurrounded by said loops but each loop. f

4.- A cooling unit. formechanical refrigeration comprising: an elongated header, a plurality of duct loops depending from said fixed adjacent only one side of low said-header' and surrounded by 'said loops, each lof' said. loops' having one le'g thereof adjacent saidy compartment and the other leg spaced from said compartment.

5. A cooling unit for mechanical refrigeration comprlsing.: an elongated header, ar plurality of duct loops depending from said ea'der, a freezing compartment located below said header and having a housing surmeans for clamping together and aligning, vthe inner set of legs of one group, means for clamping together and aligning'the inner set of legs of the other group to provide.

two parallel sets of legs, anda supporting structure carried between said of legs.

7. A cooling unit for mechanical refrigeration comprising: a header, a plurality of ducts having legs depending from said header and connected` in parallel relation thereto,

a freezing compartment having close thermal association withonly a portion of said duct legs for maintaining said compartment parallel sets substantially at a freezing temperature, while other duct legs are spacedfrom said compartment and'have a more intimate thermal association with the'circulating medium cooled thereby;l v i 8. In a refrigerating. apparatus, a cooling unit adapted to beplaced in the path of the i medium to be cooled thereby, .said cooling unit comprising heat exchange means in intimate contact with a refrigerant and with said-medium'to be cooled, said heat exchange means having a portion constructed and arranged to provide a freezing zone, and another portion `formed to provide acooling zone in intimate thermal association with the medium lowingthereover tocool the latter, the material of said second-mentioned portionlying outwardly of the freezing zone in the path ofthe circulating medium and so constructed and arranged as to provide, without the aid of additional means, a shield of heat-exchange material for shielding the fr'cezin zone from the action o-f the circulating me ium. l

9. In a refrigerating apparatus a cooling unit adapted to be placedin the path of the Y Y medium to `b e cooledthereby,said cooling unit comprising heat exchange means in intimate contact with a refrigerant and with said medium to be'cooled, said heat exchange means having a portion constructed and arranged to provide a freezing zone,.and an- Vother portion spaced from said irst-men-f.'

tioned portion and formed to provide a cooling zone in mtlmate thermal association wlth the-cooling medium to cool the latter,'the ma-' terial of said second-mentioned portion being so constructed and arranged as to provide, without the'aid of additional means,a shield of heat-exchange material for shielding the freezing zone from the action of the circulating medium.

10. In a refrigerating apparatus,'a cooling vunit adapted to be placed in the path of the medium to be cooled thereby, said cooling unit comprising heat exchange means in intimate contact with a refrigerant and with said medium to be cooled, said heat exchange means having a portion constructed and arranged to providea freezing zone, and anioo other portion formed to provide a `cooling zone in intimate thermal associated with the medium flowing thereover whereby to cool the latter, the material of said second-mentioned' portion flying outwardly of and spaced from the freezing zoneon oppositel sides thereof and being so constructed and rarranged as to provide, without the aid of additional means, a shield .of heat-exchange material for shielding the freezing zone from the action of the circulating medium.

4l1. In -a refrigerating apparatus, a cooling unit,V adapted to be placed in the path of the medium to be cooled thereby, said cooling unit comprising heat exchange means 1n 1n- 4the latter,.th'e material of said second-nientioned portion being s o constructed and arrangedas to provide without the aidv of additional means, a shield 'ot heat-exchange material for shielding the freezing zone from the actionof the circulating medium.

12. In a refrigerating apparatus, a cooling unit adapted to be placed -in the path of the medium to be cooled thereby, said cooling unit comprising heat exchange means in inf timate contact with said medium to be cooled, said heat exchange means having a portion including duct means constructed and arranged to yprovide a freezing zone, and another portion providing a cooling zone so constructed as to be in intimate thermal association with the medium flowing thereover whereby to cool the latter, the material of said second-mentioned portion lying -outwardly of the freezing zone in the-path of the circulating medium and so constructed andA arranged as to provide, without the aid of additional means, a shield of heat-exchange material forl shielding thefreezing zone` from the action ofthe circulating medium.

13. In a refrigerating apparatus,.a cooling unit adapted to be placed in thepath of the medium to-.be cooled thereby, said cooling unit comprising heat exchange means in intimate contact with a refrigerant and with said medium to-be cooled, said heat exchange means having a portion including duct meansconstructed and arranged to .provide a freezing zone, and another portion also including duct means providing a cooling zone in intimate thermal association with the medium flowing thereover whereby to cool the latter, the material of said second-mentioned portionlying outwardly of the freezing zone in the path of thecirculating medium and so constructed and'arranged as to provide, without the aid of additional means, a shield of heat-exchange material for shielding the freezing zone from the action ofthe circulating medium.

14."In a refrigerating apparatus, a cooling unit adapted. to be placed in the path of the medium to be cooled thereby, said cool-v ing unit comprising a header and a. plurality ,of duct means connected to the header in parallel circuit relation, said means having a' portion providing a freezing zone, and another portion providing a cooling zone in intimate 'thermal' association with .the medium flowing thereover whereby tol cool the latter, the material of said second-mentioned portion lying outwardly of the freezing zone in the path of the circulating medium and so constructed and arranged as to provide, withoutlthe aid of additional means, a shield of' heatexchange material for shielding vthe freezin zone from the action of the circulating me ium. v

15. In a refrigerating apparatus, a cool- `ing unit adapted to be placed in the path of --the medium to be cooled thereby, said cooling unit comprising a header and a plurality of ducts connected to the header in parallel circuit relation, certain of the du'cts having portions co-operating. with-portions of other ducts to provide a freezing zone, and certain of the ducts having portions cooperating to provide a cooling zone in intimate thermal association with the medium flowing thereover whereby to cool the latter, the material of said cooling zone lying outwardly of the freezing zoney in the path of the circulating medium and .so constructed and arranged as to provide, without the aid of additional means, Ia shield vof heat-exchange for shielding the freezing zone from the action of the circulating medium.

16. In a refrigerating apparatus, a cooling unit including a header, a lurality of duct means connected tothe hea er in parallel circuit relation, said duct means having A' spaced apart portions providing a compartment therebetween andother portions within said compartment and spaced apart to provide an-inner compartment. Y- v 17. vIn a refrigerating apparatus, a cooling unit including a. header, la lurality of duct means connected to the hea er in parallel circuit relation, said duct means having upright member each connected to the header and spaced apart to provide a chamber therebetween, and other upright members within said chamber and connected with the header and spaced apart to provide an inner compartment within said chamber.

ing unit comprising a plurality of duct loops arranged in staggered relation and forming two sets of loops, each set having its loops substantially in longitudinal alignment and 18. In a refrigerating apparatus, a cool.

offset laterally fromv the loops of the other v I set, and means in intimate metallic vcontact withsaid loops for supporting ice-freezing trays.

19. In a refrigerating apparat-us, a. cooling unit including a header, opposed duct means extending downwardly from the header in spaced-apart uprightplanes disposed on opposite sides of said header, and means supported between said opposed duct means and in intimateI metallic contact therewith for supporting an iceffreezing tray.

20. In a refrigerating apparatus, a cooling unit including an elongated header, opposed, duct means extending downwardly vfromfthe header in spaced apart upright'- planes extending longitudinally of the headl leg portions lying in opposed uprig er, anclmeans supported between and in intmate metallic contact with said opposed duct means for carrying an ice-tray.

21. In a refrigerating apperatus, a, series 5 o`f duct loops substantlolly in longitudinal alignment, said duct loops havingl vertical t spaced loperi', planes, and means supported between and in intimate metallic contact with seid opposed vertical leg portions' for receiving 15 an ice-tray.

In testimony whereof I hereto ailx my signature. p

Y JESSE G. 

